Feb 21 2023
How about a
wittle look see at the BC&G RR spur line upgrades and more.
During the last two years contractors have been rebuilding the old unused spur line locals call the BC&G RR. The $8M project included replacing over 13,000 cross ties, gauging the rails, and rebuilds of four bridges that were washed away or at least damaged by the 2016 flood.
After several delays, at the end of Jan 2023, the project was 99% complete and ready to be put back in service. Instead of hauling coal and logs, for this new line, tourists will be hauled.
During recent Business Development Authority (BDA) meetings, it became public knowledge that a bid will be awarded sometime this Spring, most likely in May 2023, for a contractor to come in, set up and operate some type of rail car operation. It might be for a steam or diesel locomotive pulling cars, an electric / diesel rail bus, or some combination of the just mentioned coupled with a rail bike operation.
No one will know what's comin until the bids are opened and approved.
The plan calls for the successful bidder to begin operations later this year.
It's an exciting time in County Clay.
Now for the newest stuff...
Tuesday morning many noticed a nice looking Land Rover pulling a long trailer carrying strange looking red rail buggy lookin thangs. See pic below.
During the last two years contractors have been rebuilding the old unused spur line locals call the BC&G RR. The $8M project included replacing over 13,000 cross ties, gauging the rails, and rebuilds of four bridges that were washed away or at least damaged by the 2016 flood.
After several delays, at the end of Jan 2023, the project was 99% complete and ready to be put back in service. Instead of hauling coal and logs, for this new line, tourists will be hauled.
During recent Business Development Authority (BDA) meetings, it became public knowledge that a bid will be awarded sometime this Spring, most likely in May 2023, for a contractor to come in, set up and operate some type of rail car operation. It might be for a steam or diesel locomotive pulling cars, an electric / diesel rail bus, or some combination of the just mentioned coupled with a rail bike operation.
No one will know what's comin until the bids are opened and approved.
The plan calls for the successful bidder to begin operations later this year.
It's an exciting time in County Clay.
Now for the newest stuff...
Tuesday morning many noticed a nice looking Land Rover pulling a long trailer carrying strange looking red rail buggy lookin thangs. See pic below.
What they
were really lookin was high tech electric powered rail
vehicles. Each vehicle was set up to haul four passengers,
travel at 12 mph. These were the high dollar models of the
home made rail bikes bought by the BDA and used on a small
portion of the old BC&G line a couple years back.
What are the new rascals doing here? Owners Alex and Mary were here to inspect our RR line and decide if they were interested in bidding on the budding operation. The name of their company is Rail Adventurers.
Keep in mind, this ain't no start up, fly by night operation. They already have four other rail bike operations around the country with each handling 1000's of customers each year. After reading their website and listening to what they had to say during their visit, this: they plan to invest close to $750,000 if awarded the RR contract; there will be 25 cars available; each unit costs a little over $10K; they will hire 3 full time employees and 25 part timers to work the operation; they will bring in their own food vending trailer, trinket trailer toilet facility, and support equipment.
At those other operations, Railroad Adventures rent by the car not by the head. For a four man car, $120 is the asking price. For their 2 man vehicles, the fee is $90 as best we can understand.
What are the new rascals doing here? Owners Alex and Mary were here to inspect our RR line and decide if they were interested in bidding on the budding operation. The name of their company is Rail Adventurers.
Keep in mind, this ain't no start up, fly by night operation. They already have four other rail bike operations around the country with each handling 1000's of customers each year. After reading their website and listening to what they had to say during their visit, this: they plan to invest close to $750,000 if awarded the RR contract; there will be 25 cars available; each unit costs a little over $10K; they will hire 3 full time employees and 25 part timers to work the operation; they will bring in their own food vending trailer, trinket trailer toilet facility, and support equipment.
At those other operations, Railroad Adventures rent by the car not by the head. For a four man car, $120 is the asking price. For their 2 man vehicles, the fee is $90 as best we can understand.
Railroad Adventure owner Mary Joy is to the right in the red jacket. That's Alex, another owner, seated on the right in the rail car.
On Feb 20th Alex
and Mary took a ride on the BC&G line. The plan was to
travel the entire length of the track but a fallen tree near
Cressmont cut the trip short. Both owners were complimentary
of the new line, the scenery, mountains, etc and plan to
submit a bid in April.
According
to BDA Chair Mitch DeBoard, 8 companies have expressed an
interest in bidding on the new tourism based rail ride. At
least one of those potential bidders already has a steam
engine ride running while another will be offering a diesel
ride. Two including Rail Adventures, offer the electric rail
car rides.
So who the H will gamble upwards of a millions dollars on little ole Clay County and the ERTS State Park. Well, think about it. If they base a trip on 60 riders at $30 per person and run 60 people at a time... that's $1800 for each trip times three trips per day, 7 days a week. That's over $5000 per day. Add to that, trinket sales and food / drink purchases. In short order that turns into real money.
Back in 1963, locals in Pocahontas County openly stated, Cass Scenic Railroad? It will never make it! It's a joke! For 60 years, those dollars keep comin in for Pocahontas County while the naysayers of old have quietly faded away.
Now it's Clayberry's shot at growing a tourism economy. Let's not muck it. It's our one shot.
So who the H will gamble upwards of a millions dollars on little ole Clay County and the ERTS State Park. Well, think about it. If they base a trip on 60 riders at $30 per person and run 60 people at a time... that's $1800 for each trip times three trips per day, 7 days a week. That's over $5000 per day. Add to that, trinket sales and food / drink purchases. In short order that turns into real money.
Back in 1963, locals in Pocahontas County openly stated, Cass Scenic Railroad? It will never make it! It's a joke! For 60 years, those dollars keep comin in for Pocahontas County while the naysayers of old have quietly faded away.
Now it's Clayberry's shot at growing a tourism economy. Let's not muck it. It's our one shot.
aw